Western Conference Showdown – Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks

Wednesday, January 13th – 8:35 PM ET

Basketball Betting Spread: Dallas -6 (195 ½)
 
The Week That Was: Lakers 

With superstar Kobe Bryant suffering the effects of a swollen shooting hand, and Pau Gasol on the shelf with continued hamstring problems, the Lakers have looked like a limited team over the past week. The Lake Show’s struggles began last Wednesday, Jan. 6, with a 102-91 loss to the neighboring L.A. Clippers. The Clips outscored Phil Jackson’s team 54-34 in the paint, as the Lakers acutely felt the absence of Gasol.

On Friday, Jan. 8, things didn’t get any better for the best team in the Western Conference. The boys in purple and gold lost at Portland, 107-98. Kobe might have hit 14 field goals, but he needed 37 attempts to do so. The Blazers also outscored L.A. at the foul line by 27 points (32-5). 

On Sunday, Jan. 10, the Lakers finally got back into the win column by mashing Milwaukee, 95-77. L.A. held the Bucks to just eight points in the first quarter, while Milwaukee’s big-name shooting guard, Michael Redd, left the game in the first half with a sore left knee. The Lakers then rounded out the past week by playing at San Antonio on Tuesday night, after this story was written. 

Dallas Mavericks -6 vs Los Angeles Lakers >> Join to Bet Now

The Week That Was: Mavericks 

Dallas began its past week on a strong note but then played a sour tune against some Jazz men one night later. 

On Friday, Jan. 8, the Mavericks won at San Antonio, 112-103. Jason Terry – who isn’t as consistent as he used to be, but who often represents a bellwether for this team, chipped in 21 big points to aid the Mavs’ cause against their foremost Southwest Division rival. .

Superstar forward Dirk Nowitzki struggled for most of the night, but the German answered the call with 16 points in a 42-point fourth quarter for Dallas. Coach Rick Carlisle’s club – like Nowitzki himself – dragged for the first three periods, but a 42-23 fourth quarter turned a 10-point deficit (80-70) into a nine-point triumph. 

The very next night, on Jan. 9, the Mavs failed to sustain the momentum they generated in San Antonio. Dallas returned home only to lose to Utah, 111-93. Dallas lost wing player Josh Howard against San Antonio, and the absence of a hard-to-guard offensive performer left Dallas underequipped in its halfcourt sets. Meanwhile, at the other end of the floor, the Jazz shot 53 percent en route to a commanding 83-62 lead after three periods. 
 
Outlook & Pick 

Kobe Bryant, with his swollen shooting hand, is simply not in peak condition. The Lakers beat Dallas 131-96 in Los Angeles on Jan. 3, so the Mavs will be primed for revenge on their home court. Another thing to consider in this contest is that the Lakers will be playing the second end of a back-to-back set after facing San Antonio on Tuesday night. It all adds up for Dallas on this particular occasion. 

Winning Pick: Mavericks (-6)